Apparatus for shrinking and condensing textile fabrics



F. CHATFIELD APPARATUS Jan. 29, 1952 FOR SHRINKING AND CONDENSINGTEXTILE FABRICS Filed Jan. l5, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet l ATTQRNE. 5

Jan. 29, 1952 F, CHATFlELD 2,583,630

APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING AND CONDENSING TEXTILE FABRICS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. l5, 1949 Mig IN V EN TOR mam CHATFIEL D M YM A? T TOR/vs YsJan. 29, 1952 F. CHATFIELD 2,583,630 APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING ANDcoNDENsING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Jan. 15, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 mglJNVENTOR. Nif/.m CHArFlELo ATromvEKsl HM Vif, @MW

Jan. 29, 1952 F. cHATFlr-:LD 2,583,630

APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING AND CONDENSING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Jan. l5,1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 29, 1952 F, CHATFIELD 2,583,630

APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING AND CONDENSING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Jan. l5,1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOR/vgvs jan. 29, 1952 F.cHATr-1E|.-D 2,583,630APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING AND coNDENsING TEXTILE: FABmcs Filed Jan. 15,1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. FRA/wam CHATF/ELD 14T-ronnie if 8Sheets-Sheet 7 F. CHATFIELD APPARATUS' FOR SHRINKING AND CONDENSINGTEXTILE FABRICS Jan. 29, 1952 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 INVENTOR.

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APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING AND coNDENsING TEXTILE FABRICS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed Jan. l5, 1949 Patented Jan.l29, 1952 APPARATUS FOR SHRINKING ANDCONDENSING TEXTILE FABRICS Franklin Chatfield,

Minneapolis, Minn., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Frank R. Redman,

Yardley, Pa.

` Application January 15, 1949, Serial No. 71,176

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus forshrinking and condensing fabrics fabric shrinking beyond a predetermineddegree, when subsequently sewn into garments and subjected to frequentwashings.

It is well known that garments made from knitted fabrics may have atendency to shrink more or less, when subsequently subjected to frequentwashings by the purchaser. This is particularly true if the fabric wasnot fully preshrunk or condensed following the usual processing of thefabric, such as washing, dyeing, etc., to return the stitches of thefabric to their normal laterally expanded condition, so far as possible,prior to sewing the fabric into garments. Tubular knit fabric is usuallyknitted into long tubular blanks, and to facilitate handling in theusual processing of the fabric, these long knitted blanks are securedtogether in end-to-end relation, whereby the strip of fabric may bepassed from one processing tank or apparatus to another in a lengthwisedirection, ruption. During the process of washing, dyeing, and otherwisetreating the fabric, the wet fabric is constantly subjected to a pullingaction lengthwise of the fabric, whereby the fabric is elongated orstretched in the direction of its wales and narrowed in width, as willreadily be understood.

The fibers and strands of; most yarns and threads, particularly woolenfibers. when in their original state prior to being spun into yarns orthreads, are. usually more or less irregular, and may take the form ofsmall curves, bends, and twists, which may be somewhat removed whenpreparing the' fibers and strands for spinning intoI yarns or threadsand during the spinning operation.

The strands of most yarns` and threads have a tendency to return totheir normal kinky or wavy state, if given an opportunity, and toaccomplish this, various forms and types of equipment have heretoforebeen produced for shrinking 'and condensing knitted fabrics, priorto thelfabric being rolled or folded for storage purposes, after which thefabric is subsequently cut into predetermined shapes and sizes, as maybe -required for the particular form of garment or article to -be madetherefrom.v

without interto minimize the likelihood of the be sewn into garmentswith the assurance that the garments or articles made therefrom will notbe likely vto noticeably shrink after having been sewn into garments andthe garments are subsequently washed or laundered.

An important object of the invention, therefore, is to provide animproved method of shrinking, relaxing, and condensing tubular knittedfabrics prior to Vbeing sewn into garments to reduce to la minimum, thepossibility of the garments made therefrom shrinking to the extent thatthe garments may eventually rbecome too small for the wearer.

A further and more specific object of the invention resides in theprovision of an improved method for shrinking and condensing knittedfabrics which consists in feeding the fabric along a known path to agiven point at a predeterminedspeed, decreasing the speed of the fabricfrom said point onward, and simultaneously laterally stretching andwidening the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in a directioncrosswise of the wales of the fabric, whereby the fabric is shortenedand condensed in a walewise direction, after which the lfabric may beslightly wetted or moistened and pressure applied thereto to set thestitches.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor shrinking and condensing knitted tubular fabrics, which comprises apair of spreaders arranged in tandem and over which the fabric is fed,and means being provided 'for independently controlling the operationsof the spreaders thereby to effect the desired shrinking and condensingof the fabric as it passes over the spreaders.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel arrangement of thedriving means for the tandem spreaders, whereby their operations may bequickly varied to produce the desired results,

' when changing from one fabric to another, even though the fabrics mayvary considerably in texture and other characteristics; in the uniquearg rangement of the multiple controls of the appa- The presentinvention isparticularly designed 'for shrinking and condensing andrelaxing knitted fabrics, thereby to restore the threads of the fabric,so far as possible, to their initial contracted state, whereby thefinished fabric may ratus whereby an operator may convenientlymanipulate such controls, when necessary, and without interrupting theoperation of the machine; in the arrangement ofl the variable speeddrives provided for independently controlling the operations of thespreaders, and also whereby the traveling speed of the fabric may bevaried in accordance with other equipment or apparatus to which thefabric may be fed from the shrinking and condensing machine; in thesimple means provided for moving the spreader drive rollers into or outof driving engagement with their complemental spreaders, and alsowhereby the pressure of the spreader drive rollers upon the spreadersmay be varied to obtain the desired driving contact between the spreadersupporting rollers and the spreaders; and in the provision of such anapparatus which is extremely simple and efficient in operation andwherein all parts are readily accessible to facilitate inspection andmaking repairs, when necessary.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for theirattainment will be more apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown, as various changes may be madek within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the improved fabric condensing and shrinkingmachine showing the driving means for operating the various mechanismsthereof;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1; showing the tandem arrangement ofthe primary and secondary spreaders;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,showing the drive rollers for the spreaders, and also the pressurerollers;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showingthe variable speed transmissions utilized for driving the spreaders andpressure rollers;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view substantially on the line5-5 of Figure 3, showing the means for varying the width of thespreaders;

Figure 6 is a View showing the discharge end of the machine with some ofthe parts omitted;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on the line 1-1 ofFigure 1, showing the means for raising or lowering the upper pressureroller;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the means providedfor moving the spreader drive rollers into or out of driving engagementwith the fabric passing over the spreaders;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional plan view of the primaryspreader showing the belts provided thereon for advancing the side edgeportions of the flattened fabric over the spreader to minimize frictionand prevent lagging of the outer side portions of the fabric in itstraveling movement;

Figure 10 is a view on a greatly enlarged scale showing a, portion ofthe elongated fabric and stitch formation before being condensed;

Figure l1 is a similar view showing the same fabric after having beencondensed; and

Figure 12 is a schematic view illustrating the entire operation ofcondensing the fabric in accordance with the method and apparatus hereindisclosed.

Supporting structure The novel machine herein disclosed is showncomprising a suitable frame embodying upper and lower horizontal sidemembers 2 and 3, respectively, preferably in the form of invertedchannels. 'I'he side members 2 and 3 arev secured together at thereceiving end of the machine by horizontal cross members 4 and 5, andsimilar horizontal cross members 6 and 'I are provided atv the dischargeend of the machine. All of the above frame members are shown supportedupon and secured to upright posts 8, 9 and II by such means as welding,or, if desired, bolts may be used.

A plurality of horizontally disposed frame members I2, I3, I4, I5,-I6,and I1 are shown supported upon and secured to the lower horizontal siderails 3, intermediate the ends of the machine frame, and cooperate toprovide means for supporting the various operating mechanisms of theapparatus, subsequently to be described.

Primary spreader An important feature of the present invention residesin the novel means provided for condensing the fabric. The fabricusually in the form of an elongated tubular blank, may be delivered tothe machine in a wet or dry state, after the fabric has been subjectedto the usual processing, such as washing, bleaching, dyeing, etc.,necessary to condition the fabric for condensing or shrinking inpreparation for being sewn into garments or other articles.

The novel means provided for condensing and shrinking the fabriccomprises a pair of power driven spreaders, arranged in tandem, wherebythe tubular fabric passes first over one spreader and then over theother, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 12. To facilitate explanation,the first spreader will hereinafter be referred to as the primaryspreader, and the second spreader as the secondary spreader.

The primary spreader, generally designated by the numeral I8, compriseslaterally movable side members I9 and 2 I. The side member I9 is shownsupported by rods 22, and the side member 27| by similar rods 23. Therods 22 and 23 have their inner end portions slidably supported insuitable guides provided in the spreader frame, generally designated bythe numeral 24. The inner ends of each pair of supporting rods 22 and 23are geared together for simultaneous axial movement in oppositedirections by suitable gear mechanisms. generally designated by thenumeral 25. Each such mechanism comprises opposed sets of bevel gears 26and 21 having rack-and-pinion connections With their respective rods 22and 23, respectively, as indicated at 20 in Figure 9.

The side members I9 and 2| of the spreader are provided at their forwardends with pulleys 28 and have similar pulleys 29 at their rear ends.Additional pulleys 3| and 32 are secured to the side members of thespreader frame 24. Endless belts 33 have running connections with thepulleys 28, 29, 3I and 32 at each side of the spreader. The outer runsof said belts are supported in suitable guides (not specifically shown)provided in the outer edges of the spreader side members I9 and 2|,whereby the edge portions of the attened fabric, as the fabric passesover the primary spreader I8, are advanced by said belts, thereby toprevent the outer edge portions of the flattened tubular fabric fromlagging behind the central portion of the web. The belts 33 constitutean important part of the invention, in that they assure that the coursesof stitches of the fabric are always maintained straight and at rightangles to the wales of the fabric, and that the side portions do notdrag and lag behind the central portion of the web. See Figure l2.

The belts 33 also have running connections with pulleys 34 and 35. Thepulleys 35 are mounted in brackets 36 secured to the adjacent ends ofsuitable springs 31, the opposite ends of which are shown connected tobrackets 3B secured to the side members I9 and 2l of the spreader. aswill be noted by reference to Figure 9. The pulleys 34 are driven bysuitable chains 39 having running connections with drive pulleys 4Iwhich, in turn. have driving connections with opposed pairs of fabricengaging rollers 42 and 43 of the spreader I8, as indicated at 40 inFigure 9. The rollers 42 and 43 are disposed crosswise of the spreader,and are driven by the fabric as the fabric frictionally engages theperipheries thereof, as will subsequently be more clearly described.

Each spreader comprises two rollers 42, arranged one over the other andgeared together for simultaneous operation in opposite directions bysuitable gears 40', indicated in Figure 9. Each spreader also has tworollers 43 similarly arranged and interconnected for simultaneousrotation in opposite directions by gears 40'.

The belts 33 are so threaded around their drive pulleys 34 that theouter runs of the belts will be driven in the direction of fabrictravel, whereby the outer belt runs will convey the outer edge portionsof the tubular fabric over the spreaders and prevent lagging of saidedge portions with respect to the central portion of the fabric.

The driving connections between the spreader rollers 42 and 43 and thebelts 33 are such that the lineal travel of the spreader belts 33 issynchronized with the peripheral speed of the spreader rollers 42 and43, whereby the outer marginal edge portions of the flattened tubularfabric will advance at the same speed as the central portion of thefabric. Thus, the side portions of the traveling fabric cannot lagbehind the traveling movement of the central portion of the fabric, asthe fabric passes over the spreaders.

.The gear mechanisms 25connect together the spreader side members I9 and2| for simultaneous movement in opposite directions, and are each showncomprising a shaft 44. Suitable torsion springs 45 are coiled about theshafts 44, and each has one end secured to its complemental shaft 44 andthe opposite end of each of said springs being secured to one of thesupporting brackets for the shaft. The springs 45 are placed undersuiilcienttorsional tension to constantly urge the spreader side membersI9 and 2| outwardly to hold the outer runs of the belts 33 in feedingengagement with the inner side portions of the fabric, as bestillustrated in Figures 5, 9 and 12.

A guide member, generally designated by the numeral 46, is showncomposed of two archshaped rod-like members pivotally connected togetherat their forward ends, as indicated at 41. and having their rear endspivotally connected to the forward end portions of the side members I9and 2I of the spreader, as illustrated in Figure 9. The guide member 46serves to flatten the elongated tubular fabric and remove therefromwrinkles and folds prior to guiding the fabric onto the primary spreaderin a smooth unstretched condition with the wales of the fabric runningsubstantially straight. l A separate application will subsequently befiled specifically covering the spreader, and it is therefore deemedunnecessary herein to further describe the spreader in detail.

Means for varying widthof primary spreader f As hereinbefore stated. thesprings 45constantly exert a force on the supporting rods22 and 23 ofthe spreader side members I9 and 2| to press the outer runs of the belts33` firmly against the interior surfaces of the opposed folded edgeportions of the flattened fabricI thereby to hold said side edges inengagement with a pair of guide wheels 48 and 49. The peripheries of theguide wheels 48 and 49 may be faced with a suitable resilient materialsuch as rubber, to minimize the danger of damage to the fabric as thefabric contacts the peripheries thereof. Such partial widening orlateral stretching of the fabrics as it passes over the primary spreaderI8 also removes from the fabric any wrinkles or folds present therein.

The guide wheels 48 and 49 are laterally adjustable with respect to oneanother, as best shown in Figure 5, and are mounted on similarsupporting members 5I and 52 secured respective- 1y to the upper andlower runs of a horizontally disposed endless chain 53. The chain hasrunning connections with idler sprockets 514 and 55 rotatably mounted onsuitable shafts 56 and 51, respectively. A crank 58 is shown secured tothe pulley 55 whereby the chain 33 may readily be manipulated to movethe guide wheels 418 and 49 towards or away from one another, thereby tovary the effective or working width of the primary spreader I8, as willreadily be understood by reference to Figure 5. The supporting members5Iv and 52 are slidable upon suitable guide rods 30 and 58, and areaxially translated thereon by manipulation of the crank 58.

Supporting means for primary spreader The primary spreader I8 isfloatingly supported between a pair of rubber covered rollers 59 and 5Isecured to shafts 62 and 63, respectively. The lower shaft 63 issupported in suitable bearings 64 mounted on the side frame members 2 ofthe mairi supporting frame, as best illustrated in Figure The uppershaft 62 is shown rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 85 secured tothe outer ends of arms 66 fixed to a rock shaft 81 mounted in uprightmembers 68 of the machine frame. An elongated arm, generally designatedby the numeral 89, has its intermediate portion secured to one end ofthe shaft 61, as shown in re 1. A suitable tension spring 1| has one endconnected to the end portion 12 of the arm 69. The lower end of spring1I is shown adjustably secured to a fixed bracket 13 whereby the tensionof the spring may be varied, for purposes subsequently to be described.I

A similar spring 14 has its upper end connected to the opposite endportion 15 of the arm 69 and its lower end adjustably secured to a fixedbracket 18 in a manner similar to the spring 1I. The spring 14 serves tocounterbalance the weight of the roller 59 and its supporting shaft 62,and is so tensioned that when the arm is free, the roller 59 restsfreely on the upper rollers 42 and 43 of the primary spreader I8, or onthe fabric passing thereover. The spring 1I is adjusted to irnpose apredetermined pressure on the fabric to hold it in feeding engagementwith the spreader rollers 42 and 43. The roller 59 may readilly be movedout of contact with the fabric by manipulation of the arm 15 to permitan operator to readily slip the tubular fabric over the primary spreaderpositioned between the rollers 59 and 6I, or to withdraw the fabric fromthe spreader.

To minimize twisting strains in the shaft 51, an arm, similar to the arm69. may be secured to the opposite end of said shaft, and provided withsimilar springs 1I and 14.

Means is provided for positively holding the roller 59 in an elevatedposition to facilitate inserting a spreader between the rollers 59 and6| or removing'it therefrom. Such means is best shown in Figure 8, andcomprises a latch member 11 pivotally supported on the upper end of anupright frame member 18. The latch is normally supported as shown infull lines in Figure 8 and has its lower end notched, as shown at 19,adapted to receive the inner end of a pin 8| secured to the end portion12 of the arm 69. A second notch 82 is provided in the latch 11 adaptedto receive the pin 8| when it is desired to lift the upper roller out ofdriving engagement with the fabric, as will be understood by referenceto A suitable stop 83 is secured to the frame member 18 directly belowthe pin 8| adapted to be engaged by said pin to limit the downwardmovement of the end portion 1'2 of the arm 69, when the primary spreaderis removed from between the drive rollers 59 and 6|.

The spring 1| is so tensioned that it will hold the roller 59 inpressing engagementwith the upper web or ply of the tubularblank,\whereby the lower web of the blank is similarly held in drivingengagement with the lower roller 6 I. The upper wall of the notch 19 ofthe latch 11 limits upward movement of the roller 59 in the event thefabric happens to be bunched or an abnormal pull is exerted thereon. Insuch an emergency, the pull upon the fabric may cause automaticinterruption of the apparatus as a result of the usual automatic controlmeans (not shown) usually embodied in apparatus of this general type,and well known in the art. The latch member 11 thus serves the dualpurpose of limiting upward movement of the upper roller 59, or to holdthe roller 59 out of driving engagement with the fabric.

Suitable tie rods 84 are shown interposed between the upright frameportions 68 at opposite sides of the machine and also between theupright frame portions 10. The pin 'or rod 8| secured in the end portion12 of the arm 69 is preferably outwardly extended beyond the outer faceof the arin, as shown in Figure 2, to provide, in effect, a handle whichmay be conveniently grasped by the operator,when manipulating the arm69, as when slipping fabric over the primary spreader or removing ittherefrom, or when it becomes necessary to remove the spreader frombetween the rollers 59 and 6|.

Supporting means for secondary spreader The secondary spreader,generally designated by the numeral 85, is constructed in a mannersimilar to the primary spreader I8 with the exception that it does notrequire the front guide member 46 shown pivoted to the front end of theprimary spreader.

The secondary spreader is supported between drive rollers 86 and 81secured respectively 'to shafts 88 and 89. The shaft 89 of the lowerrollei 81 is shown rotatively supported in suitable bearings 9I,partially shown in Figure 3. The shaft 88 of the upper drive roller B6is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 92 provided at the outerends of arms 93. The arms 93 are secured to a rock shaft 94 mounted forrocking movement in upright members 95 of the machine frame, as clearlyillustrated in Figures l and 2.

An arm 96, similar to the arm 69 of the primary spreader I8, is securedto one end of the rock shaft 94 and has one end of a suitable spring 81secured to the end portion 98 thereof. The lower end of said spring isadjustably secured to a fixed bracket 99, whereby the tension of thespring 91 may be varied in a manner similar to the spring 1|, thereby tovary the driving engagement of the drive rollers 86 and 81 with the aric.

A latch 11 similar to the corresponding latch of arm 69, is shownmounted at the upper end of the frame portion |0| and is adapted foroperation to -retain the arm 96 in its operative or inoperativeposition, in a manner similar to the supporting means for the primaryspreader. If deemed necessary, an arm similar to arm 96 may be securedto the opposite end of shaft 94 to minimize torsional strains in saidshaft.

A spring |02 has its upper end secured to the end portion |03 of the arm96, and its lower end adjustably secured to a fixed part of the machine,such as a bracket |03, whereby the spring |02 may be tensioned tocounter-balance the weight of the upper roller 86 and its supportingshaft 88.

Means for varying width of secondary spreader The means for varying thewidth of the secondary spreader Ais similar to the corresponding meansof the primary spreader I8, shown in Figure 5, and comprises anoperating crank |04 secured to a short shaft |05 having a sprocket 55secured thereto for operating an endless chain |06.. The chain |06 hasrunning connections with the sprocket 55 and a sprocket 54 supported atthe opposite side of the machine frame, as shown in Figure 5. Guidewheels |01 and |08 are secured respectively to the lower and upper runsof the endless chain |06 by mounting members 5| and 52, similar to theones used in conjunction with the primary spreader I8. When the crank|04 is relatively rotated, the guide wheels |01 and |08 are movedtowards or away from one another thereby to vary the operating width ofthe secondary spreader 85.

It will thus be seen that by the simple manipulation of the cranks 58and |04, the primary and secondary spreaders may be convenientlyadjusted in width to obtain the desired shrinkage or condensing of thefabric, as'it passes from the primary to the secondary spreader, withoutinterrupting operation of the apparatus.

Drive means for spreaders Another important feature of the presentinvention resides in the manner of driving the-- the fabric whensubsequently sewn into garments,

or other articles, and subjected to frequent washings, is substantiallyeliminated. The means provided for thus driving the two spreaders, isbest illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, and comprises a main driveshaft |09 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings or pillow blocks IIIshown secured to the cross members I5 and I6 of the lower portion of themachine frame. The drive shaft |09 is driven from a countershaft I I2shown mounted in suitable bearings ||3 secured to the upper ends of arms||4. The arms ||`4 are xed to a rock shaft II5 mounted in bearings II6and ||1 secured to the lower side frame members 3 of the main frame.

The driving connection between the main drive shaft |09 and thecountershaft II2 is shown comprising dual V-belts II8 mounted on pulleysI9 secured to the drive shaft |09, and a variable speed pulley |2| ofwell known construction.

'its lower end secured to the rock shaft I|8 and its upper end isoperatively connected to the threaded ends of a shaft |23, mounted insuitable bearings |24 and |25 secured to the ends of the main supportingframe, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. A suitable hand wheel|26 is secured to-the opposite end oi' the adjusting shaft |23 formanipulating said shaft to rock the shaft I I2, thereby to vary theeffective diameter of the variable speed pulley |2|. Y

'Ihe countershaft ||2 is driven from a conventionalmotor |21 by dualV-belts |29 similar to the V-belts ||8. The belts |28 have runningconnections with a dual pulley |29 secured to the countershaft 2 andwith a variable speed pulley |3| secured to the motor |21.

The primary and secondary spreaders are driven from the main drive shaft|09 by suitable V-belts |32 and |33, respectively, whereby theoperations of the spreaders may be varied independently of one another.The V-belt |32 has a running connection with a pulley |34 secured to thedrive shaft |09, and with la..variable speed pulley, generallydesignated by the numeral |35, of well known construction, and whichtherefore need not be described in detail. The variable speed pulley |35comprises V-pulleys |36 and |31.

The pulley |36 is driven from the shaft |09 by the belt |32, and thepulley |31 has a belt |38 operatively connecting it to a pulley |39secured to a shaft |4I, as shown in Figure 4. The shaft |4| is mountedin bearings |42 and |43 and has a sprocket wheel |44 secured thereto,preferably exteriorly of the machine frame. A suitable chain |45operatively connects the sprocket wheel |44 to a sprocket wheel |46secured to one end of the shaft 63 of the lower drive roller 6| of theprimary spreader, as best illustrated in Figure 5.

The pulley |35 is supported in a frame, generally designated by thenumeral |41, shown pivoted at |48 and having one end of an adjusting rod|49 operatively connected therewith, as shown in Figure 3. To thusconnect the rod |49 to the frame |41 a threaded block |5| is mounted inthe upper portion of the frame |41, and has a threaded connection withthe rod |49 whereby when the rod is relatively rotated, the

frame |41 may be oscillated about its pivots |48 to thereby cause thevariable speed pulley |35 to function and vary the speed of the shaft|4| with respect to the speed of the main drive shaft |09. The adjustingrod |49 may be provided with a universal joint |52, and is supported inthe cross member 4' of the main frame, as shown in Figure 3. A suitablesprocket |53 is secured to the adjusting rod |49 and has a chain |53operatively connecting it to a hand wheel |54, conveniently locatedadjacent to the adjusting wheel |26, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.

The lower drive roller 6| is directly driven by the chain |45, whereasthe upper" drive roller 59 is driven from the lower roller 6| byintermeshing spur gears |55 and |56. gears are sufficiently long topermit limited movement of the roller 59 away from the lower roller 6|during Ioperation ofthe machine and whereby slight variations in thefabric will not interfere with the driving engagement between Asaidgears.

The secondary spreader is also driven from the main drive shaft |89 by avariable speed transmission or mechanism |51, similar to the variablespeed pulley |38 of the primary spreader I 9. The variable speedmechanism |51 comprises pulleys |58 and 59, the pulley |59 being drivenfrom the shaft |09 by the belt |33. The other variable pulley |58 has abelt |6| operatively connecting it to a pulley |82 secured to a shaft|63 mounted in bearings |84 and |85. A sprocket |66 is secured totheouter end of the shaft |83 and has a chain |81 operativelyconnecting itto a sprocket |68 secured to the shaft 89 of the lower drive roller 81of the secondary spreader. The drive rollers 86 and 81 of the secondaryspreader are operatively connected together by suitable gears |55 and|561 similar to the corresponding gears of the drive rollers 59 and 6|of the primary spreader.

In Figure 2 the upper drive roller 59 of the primary spreader I8 isshown driven from one end only of the shaft 63 supporting the lowerdrive roller 6|, and, in like manner, the shafts 88 and 89 of the driverollers 86 and 81 of the secondary spreader are geared together at oneside of the machine. If deemed necessary, said shafts may be gearedtogether at both sides of the machine to minimize torsional strainstherein.

Variable speed pulley unit |51 is shown mounted in a frame |69,supported on pivots |1| for pivotal movement in a manner similar to theframe |41, thereby to vary the effective diameters of `the variablespeed pulley elements |58 and |59, as may be desired. An adjusting shaftor rod |12 has one end received in threaded engagement with a threadedblock |13 secured to the upper end of the frame |69. The opposite end ofshaft |12 is supported in a bearing |14, and has a sprocket |15 securedthereto which is operatively connected to a hand wheel |18 by a suitablechain drive |11. The adjusting rod or shaft |12 may be provided with auniversal joint |18 similar to the universal `ioint |52 o1 the adjustingrod or shaft |49 of the primary spreader.

Stitch setting mechanism Meansis'provided for setting the stitches ofthe fabric in their laterally expanded condition as the condensed fabricleaves the secondary in Figure 3. The lower shaft -is driven fromk themain shaft |09 by a suitable chain drive |85, and the upper roller |82is driven by peripherally engaging the lower roller |83, or the fabricfed between said rollers.

The upper squeeze roller |19 islaterally movable with respect to thelower squeeze roller |8|, and the upper roller is therefore shownsupported in suitable arms |88 pivoted at |80 to the bearing blocks |90in which the lower shaft |83 is rotatably supported. The opposite endportions |91 of the arms |98 are apertured to receive the upper ends ofbars or rods |88. each having a spring |89 coiled thereabout. The

The teeth of said springs |89 exert a yielding pressure on the arms |86,when the rods |88 are thrust downwardly yto move the upper squeezeroller |19 into squeezing engagement with the fabric passing betweenrollers |19 and|8|.

Suitable adjusting nuts |9| are received in lthreaded engagement withthe upper ends of the rods |88 to vary the tension in the springs |89.Suitable stops |92 are secured to the rods |88 and have their upper endspositioned adjacent the lower faces of the arm portions A||l1 wherebywhen the arms |88 are swung upwardly, the upper roller |19 may be movedout of engagement with the fabric.

To thus upwardly move the roller |19, the lower ends of the rods |88 arepivotally connected to arms |93 secured to a rock shaft |94 mounted insuitable bearings |95 secured to the main supporting frame adjacent oneend thereof.A

A lever |98 has its lower end secured to the rock shaft |94 whereby whenthe lever |96 is oscillated in the direction-of the arrow |91, in

Y Figure l, the rods |88 will be moved upwardly to thereby upwardly movethe arms |81 to elevate the upper roller |19 out of engagement with thelower driven roller |8|.

A latch member |98 is pivoted to the lever |95 and has suitable notches|99 and 20| in its lower edge adapted to selectively engage a pin orstud 202 ilxed to the machine frame thereby to retain the squeezerollers |19 and |0| in feeding engagement with the fabric, or in anelevated position, out of contact therewith.

In Figure 1, the full line position of the operating lever |96 indicatesits position when the squeeze rollers are in engagement with the fabric.as shown in Figure 3. When thus positioned, the pin 202 is received inthe notch |99 in the latch member |90, to thereby lock the upper squeezeroller |19 in operative position. When the operating lever |98 is swungoutwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the arms |93will upwardly move the rods |88 and thereby swing the arms |81 upwardlyto cause the upper squeeze roller |19 to move out of contact with thefabric.

Suitable tie rods 203 are preferably interposed between the uprightframe members 95-95 and bearings |90|90, as shown in Figures 1 and 3,thereby to reinforce and strengthen the main supporting structure orframe.

Operation An important feature of the present invention, as hereinbeforestated, resides in the unique arrangement and manipulation of theprimary and second spreaders to effect the desired degree of condensingor shrinkage in the nished fabric. The processed fabric, in the form ofan elongated tube which may be wet or dry, is delivered to the primaryspreader from a suitable container such as an enlarged box, into whichthe processed fabric is delivered, usually by a well known form offabric folder, which lays the moistened fabric into the receiving box inlarge folds thereby to facilitate the removal of the fabric from saidbox.

The fabric thus delivered into the receiving tubular knit fabric as theycome from the knitting machine, sewn together in end-to-end relation,whereby the composite strip delivered into the receiving box inpreparation for condensing and drying may be many feet in length. Tothus secure the knitted strips together in endwise relation is wellknown in the art, and is usually done prior to subjecting the fabric tothe usual processing operation in order that the operation of processingthe fabric may be carried on continuously and without interruption.

The elongated fabric strip is guided onto the box may be composed of aplurality of strips of primary spreader by the guide member 48, as shownat A in Figure 12, and then engages the side belts 33 of the primaryspreader which assists to manually advance the end of the tubular fabricinto driving engagement with the guide wheels 48 and 49 and the driverollers 59 and 8| of the primary spreader |8. The drive rollers 59 and6| cooperate to advance the fabric to the secondary spreader 85. Thefabric as it is guided onto the primary spreader I8, is slightly widenedor laterally stretched. as shown at B. in Figure 12, thereby to removeany wrinkles or folds which may be present in the fabric prior to thefabric reaching the drive rollers shown at C in Figure 12.

The fabric advancing or feeding speed of the primary spreader iscontrolled by manipulation of the hand wheel |54, and is determined bythe speed of the secondary spreader which opcrates at a relativelyslower speed than the primary spreader because of the condensing andshortening of the tubular fabric as a result of laterally expanding thestitches of the fabric. as the fabric travels 'from E to G, as indicatedat H in Figure 12. The amount of spread imparted to the tubular fabric,as it passes over the primary spreader, is controlled by manipulation ofthe crank 58. The above controls are clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 4and 5.

When the elongated strip of fabric is delivered to the primary spreaderI8, the fabric is in a laterally contracted condition, whereby thestitches may be considerably elongated in a direction lengthwise of thefabric, as illustrated at A in Figures 10 and 12, wherein X representsthe spacing between adjacent stitch courses of the fabric lengthwisethereof, and Y, the spacing between adjacent wales of the fabrictransversely thereof. To minimize shrinkage of the fabric whencompleted, the fabric must be condensed or shortened in a lengthwisedirection. According to the present invention, this is accomplished bylaterally expanding the stitches, as indicated at H in Figures ll and12, wherein it will be noted that the spacing X between adjacent stitchcourses has been considerably reduced as compared to the spaces betweenadjacent courses in Figure 10. At the Sametime, the spacing Y' betweenadjacent wales has been considerably increased over the spacing betweenthe wales shown in Figure 10.

As the fabric passes on from the feed rollers C of the primary spreader|8, the side belts 33 of the primary spreader cooperate to deliver thefabric onto. the secondary spreader 85, as shown at D and E in Figure12, whereupon the stitches of the fabric are expanded laterally withrespect to the wales of the fabric, resulting in increasing the spacingY' between adjacent wales, as indicated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. At thesame time the spacing between adjacent stitch courses of the fabriccorrespondingly decrease as indicated at X', in Figures 11 and 12.

Condensing and shortening the fabric in a wale-wise direction, as abovedescribed, obviously reduces the traveling movement of the fabric fromthe secondary spreader 85 on, relative to the speed of the primaryspreader, whereby the speed of the secondary spreader must be reduced tocompensate for such shortening of the fabric in a lengthwise direction,due to the widthwise spread of the fabric. When the fabric passes fromthe primary spreader onto the receiving end of the secondary spreader,it is in a free and relaxed the secondary spreader 85 to prevent anypossible lagging of the outer edge portions of the fabric relative tothe central portion thereof, as the fabric passes over the secondaryspreader.

The speed of the secondary spreader lis controlled by varying the speedof the drive rollers `86 and 81 by manipulation of the hand wheel |16,shown in Figures 1 and 4. See also G in Figure 12. The increased widthof the secondary spreader relative to the width of the primary spreader,in combination with the reduced speed of the secondary spreader tocompensate for the widening of the fabric as it passes over thesecondary spreader, determines the amount of shrinkage or shorteningimparted to the fabric in a lengthwise direction, and is readilyvariable by varying the width of the secondary spreader relative to theprimary spreader by manipulation of the operating crank |04,

When the fabric leaves the secondary spreader 85, as shown at F inFigure 12, it passes between the pressure rollers |19 and |8| whichapply pressure to the laterally expanded stitches of the condensedfabric and thereby set the stitches and the fabric in its condensedcondition. From the pressure rollers |19 and |8|, the fabric may bedelivered into a suitable dryer, not shown, through which the fabric isfed in a loose free condition and without exerting any pulling on thefabric.

The condensing action imparted to the fabric by the tandem spreaders, ashereinbefore stated, is accomplished by increasing the effective widthof the secondary spreader relative to the width of the primary spreader,whereupon the stitches of the fabric are expanded laterally as shown inFigure 11, and indicated at H in Figure 12. 'Ihe amount of condensing orshortening of the fabric may readily be varied by manipulation of the fhand wheels |54 and |16, shown in Figure 4. When the desired condensingof the fabric is obtained, the speed of the entire apparatus may beadjusted by manipulation of the operating wheel |26, to synchronize thedelivery of the condensed fabric with the speed of the dryer, not shown,through which the fabric is usually passed as it is discharged from thecondensing apparatus, thereby to complete the fabric for sewing intogarments.

The apparatus herein disclosed has been found to operate efficiently oneither dry or wet fabrics. In most cases, however, the fabric isdelivered to the dryer in a moistened condition, as it has been foundthe expanded stitches set more firmly when the fabric is moist whenpressure is applied thereto. If added moisture is required to producethe desired results, such added moisture, either in the form of a sprayor live steam, may be introduced into the fabric just prior to passingthe fabric between the pressure rollers |19 and IBI.

It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that I have accomplishedat least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also beapparfil i 14 ent to those skilled in the art that the embodimentsherein described may be variously changed and `modified withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and that the inventici iscapable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described;hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments areillustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto. Iclaimas my invention:

1. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit textilefabrics, a pair of power driven spreaders arranged in tandem `and overwhich the tubular knit fabric is fed, one of said spreaders flatteningthe tubular fabric and delivering it onto the second spreader, saidsecond spreader 4being relatively wider than the first spreader andlaterally stretching and widening the ,fabric to cause its stitches toexpand in a direction crosswise of the wales of the fabric.

2. In an apparatus for shrinking and condens.- ing wet tubular knittextile fabrics, a pair of power driven spreaders arranged in tandem andover which the tubular knit. fabric is fed, one of said spreadersguiding the tubular fabric onto the second spreader, the second spreaderbeing relatively wider than the first spreader and laterally stretchingand widening the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in a directioncrosswise of the wales of the fabric, and. means for receiving theoutstretched fabric from said scc- I ond spreader and applying pressurethereto to set the stitches of the fabric whereby the fabric will retainits condensed condition when released from the pressure means.

3. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit textilefabrics, a pair of power driven spreaders arranged in tandem and overwhich the tubular knit fabric is fed, the first spreader flattening thetubular fabric and guiding it onto the second spreader, the secondspreader being relatively wider than the first spreader and laterallystretching and widening the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in adirection crosswise of the wales of the fabric, the first spreaderoperating at a relatively higher speed than the second spreader anddelivering the fabric to the second spreader at a rate commensurate withthe shortening of the fabric as a result of the spreading actionimparted thereto by the second spreader.

4. In an apparatus for condensing and shrinking a moistened tubular knittextile fabric, a pair of power driven spreaders arranged in tandem andover which the tubular knit fabric is constantly fed, the secondspreader being relatively wide'r than the first spreader and laterallystretching and-widening the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in adirection crosswise of the' wales of the fabric, the rst spreaderoperating at a relatively higher speed than the second spreader anddelivering the fabric to the second spreader at a rate commensurate withthe shortening of the fabric as a result of the spreading actionimpartedV thereto by the second spreader, a pair of vsqueeze rollersbetween which the moistened outwardly stretched fabric is passed,thereby to cause the stitches of the condensed fabric to become set, andwhereby the fabric will retain its condensed condition when subsequentlyreleased from the squeeze rollers.

5. In an apparatus for shrinking tubular knit fabrics, first and secondspreaders disposed in tandem relation and over which the tubular fabricblank is fed, said second spreader being relawhereby the speed of thefirst spreader maybe increased relative to the speed of the secondspreader to deliver the fabric to the second spreader at a ratecommensurate with the shortening of the tubular knit fabric by thesecond spreader.

6. In an apparatus for shrinking tubular knit fabrics, rst and secondspreaders disposed in tandem relation and over which the tubular fabricblank is fed, said spreaders being laterally adjustable independently ofone another to control the shrinking action imported to the fabric, saidsecond spreader being relatively wider than the first spreader andlaterally stretching and widening the fabric to cause its stitches toexpand laterally, and whereby the fabric is shortened and condensed in alengthwise direction, a pair of pressure rollers positioned to receivethe outwardly stretched fabric from the second spreader and applyingpressure thereto to set the laterally expanded stitches, pairs ofindependent coacting rollers for supporting and driving said spreaders,and independent drive means for said pairs of rollers whereby the fabricfeeding actions of said 'spreaders may be independently varied to effectthe desired shrinkage in the fabric.

7. In an apparatus for shrinking tubular knit fabrics, a plurality ofspreaders longitudinally aligned with respect to one another and overwhich the tubular fabric is fed, said spreaders being adjustablelaterally independently of one another whereby said spreaders may varyin width in the direction of fabric travel to gradually laterallystretch and widen the fabric to cause its stitches to expand laterallyand thereby shorten and condense the fabric in a lengthwise direction,and independently drives for said spreaders whereby the fabric may besuccessively discharged from one spreader onto the next at a ratecommensurate with the shortening of the fabric at each succeedingspreader.

8. In an apparatus for shrinking a wet tubular knit fabric, a pluralityof spreaders longitudinally aligned with respect to one another and overwhich the tubular fabric is fed, said spreaders being adjustablelaterally independently of one another whereby said spreaders may bevaried in width in the direction of fabric travel to gradually laterallystretch and widen the fabric to cause its stitches to expand laterallyand thereby shorten and condense the fabric in a lengthwise direction,independent drives for said spreaders whereby the fabric may besuccessively discharged from one spreader onto the next at a ratecommensurate with the shortening of the fabric at each succeedingspreader, and means for applying pressure to the condensed fabric to setthe stitches thereof.

9. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabrics, asupporting frame, pairs of coacting drive rollers mounted in said frameand spaced apart lengthwise thereof, a spreader mounted upon and drivenby each pair of said coacting rollers whereby the spreaders are disposedin tandem to facilitate passing the tubular fabric over said spreaders,the second spreader being relatively wider than the first spreader andlateral-.ly stretching and widening the fabric to cause its stitches toexpand in a direction crosswise of the wales of the fabric, and wherebythe fabric is shortened and condensed in a lengthwise direction, saidfirst spreader operating at a relatively higher speed than the secondspreader to deliver the fabric to the second spreader at a ratecommensurate with the shortening of the tubular knit fabric by saidsecond spreader.

l0. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabric, asupporting frame, pairs of coacting drive rollers mounted in said frameand spaced apart lengthwise lthereof, a spreader mounted upon and drivenby each pair of said coacting rollers whereby the spreaders are disposedin tandem to facilitate passing the tubular fabric over said spreaders,the second spreader being relatively wider than the first 'spreader andlaterally stretching and widening the fabric to cause its stitches toexpand in a direction crosswise of the wales of the fabric, and wherebythe fabric is shortened and condensed in a lengthwise direction, saidrst spreader operating at a relatively higher speed than the secondspreader and delivering the fabric to the second threader at a ratecommensurate with the shortening of the tubular knit fabric by saidsecond spreader, and means for independently controlling the operationsof said spreaders in accordance to the shrinkage to be imparted to thefabric.

11. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabrics, asupporting frame, a pair of coacting drive rollers mounted in saidframe, a fabric spreader supported between said rollers and adapted tobe driven thereby, a second pair of coacting drive rollers mounted insaid frame .md spaced from said first drive rollers in the direction offabric travel, a second fabric spreader mounted between and driven bysaid second pair of coacting rollers and having its receiving endpositioned within the confines of the discharge end of the firstspreader whereby the fabric may be discharged from the first spreaderdirectly onto the second spreader in a somewhat rippled condition, saidsecond spreader increasing in width from its receiving end to arelatively wider spread than the first spreader, thereby to laterallystretch and widen the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in adirection crosswise of the I wales of the fabric, and whereby the fabricis shortened and condensed in a lengthwise direction, and a variabledrive for each pair of coacting spreader drive rollers whereby theoperations of said spreaders may be independently controlled togradually vary the fabric feeding actions thereof to effect the desiredshrinkage of the fabric.

12. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabrics, asupporting frame, a pair of coacting drive rollers mounted in saidframe, a fabric spreader supported between said rollers and adapted tobe driven thereby, a second pair of coacting drive rollers mounted insaid frame and spaced from said rst drive rollers in the direction offabric travel, a second fabric spreader mounted between and driven bysaid second pair of coacting rollers and having its receiving enddisposed in overlapping relation to the tail end of the first spreaderwhereby the fabric may be discharged from the flrst spreader directlyonto the' second spreader in a slightly rippled state, said secondspreader increasing in width from its receiving end to a relativelywider spread than the first spreader, thereby to laterally stretch andwiden the fabric to cause its stitches to expand in a directioncrosswise of the wales of the fabric. and whereby the fabric isshortened and condensed in a lengthwise direction, the sides of saidsecond spreader being equipped with endless belts adaptedl to directlyengage the fabric and operating at a speed corresponding to theperipheral speed of the drive rollers for said second spreader wherebythe fabric, throughout its full width, is uniformly fed over the secondspreader.

13. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabrics, asupporting frame, a pair of coacting drive rollers mounted in saidframe, a fabric spreader supported between said rollers and adapted tobe driven thereby, a second pair of coacting drive rollers mounted insaid frame and spaced from said rst drive rollers in the direction offabric travel, a second fabric spreader mounted between and driven bysaid second pair of coacting rollers and having its receiving enddisposed in overlapping relation to the tail end of the first spreaderwhereby the fabric is discharged from the first spreader directly ontothe second spreader, said second spreader being relatively wider thanthe rst spreader, thereby to laterally stretch and widen the fabric tocause its stitches to expand in a direction crosswise of the wales ofthe fabric, and whereby the fabric is shortened and condensed in alengthwise direction, each of said spreaders comprising longitudinallyextending side frame members mounted for lateral adjustment to vary theeffective width of the spreaders, pulleys mounted at the ends of saidside frame members, and endless belts mounted on said pulleys and havingdriving connections with the coacting drive rollers of said spreaderswhereby said endless spreader belts are driven at a speed correspondingto the peripheral speed of the coacting drive rollers of theirrespective spreaders, and whereby said spreader side belts will coactwith their respective drive rollers to feed the fabric forwardly at auniform speed the full width of the fabric, said spreader side beltsalso preventing lagging of the fabric at the sides of the spreader.'

14. In an apparatus for shrinking and condensing tubular knit fabrics, asupporting frame, a pair of coacting drive rollers mounted in saidframe, a fabric spreader supported between said rollers and adapted tobe driven thereby, a second pair of coacting drive rollers mounted insaid 18 frame and'spaced from said first drive rollers in the directionof fabric travel, a second fabric spreader mounted between and driven bysaid second pair of coacting rollers and having its receiving endpositioned in overlapping relation to the tail end of the first spreaderwhereby the fabric may be discharged from the first spreader directlyonto the second spreader, said second. spreader being relatively widerthan the rst spreader thereby to laterally stretch and widen the fabricto cause its stitches to expand in a direction crosswise of the wales ofthe fabric, and whereby the fabric is shortened and condensed in alengthwise direction. each of said spreaders comprising longitudinallyextending side frame members mounted for lateral adjustment to vary theeffective width of the spreader, pulleys mounted at the ends Yof saidside frame members, endless belts mounted on said pulleys and havingdriving connections with the coacting drive rollers of said spreaderswhereby said endless belts are driven at a speed corresponding to theperipheral speed of the coacting drive rollers for each spreader, andwhereby said spreader side belts will coact with the drive rollers tofeed the fabric forwardly at a uniform speed the full width of thefabric, said spreader side belts also preventing lagging of the fabricwhere engaged with the sides of the spreader, and means forindependently varying the speeds of the spreaders whereby the speed ofthe first spreader may be increased relatively to the speed of thesecond spreader, thereby to deliver the fabric to the second spreader ina slightly rippled condition at a rate of feed commensurate with theshortening of the fabric by the second spreader.

FRANKLIN CHATFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

